Blood Blazes from 10th to Dominate Skagit Modified Opener

By Ben Deatherage ALGER, Wash. (Aug. 21, 2025) — One of the biggest Friesen Performance IMCA Modified shows in the Pacific Northwest returns this fall as Skagit Speedway hosts Survive The 55, presented by Mel Decker Racing, on Friday and Saturday, September 26–27. IMCA Modifieds headline the weekend with a $10,000-to-win main event. The feature also pays $500 to start, with additional $500 awards for longest tow, hard charger, top local car, and best appearing car/crew. A special Fuel Cell Giveaway courtesy of Superior Fuel Cells will also be part of the program. A complimentary private invitation lunch will be served at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday for drivers, crews, and families as a thank-you to the competitors who make the journey.  The meal also serves as a recognition of Mel Decker, the first IMCA Modified track champion at Skagit in 1997, who has been instrumental in the growth of this event and in supporting countless drivers over the years. While Decker is scaling back the level of his sponsorship, he will remain a key part of [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ALGER, Wash. (Aug. 3, 2024) – Skagit Speedway witnessed the return of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and the return of Jeff Westergard to the top step of the podium Saturday night. Greg Hibma took control at the start before car owner Ben Gunderson swept pass to collect the lead at the end of the second circuit. Brandon Nutter worked his way up to second, dispatching Hibma the fourth time around the flag stand.   After a restart from a lap four caution, the battle for the runner-up spot became a three-car affair between Nutter, Hibma and Rick Smith. That tussle was put on ice, however, by a multi-car get-together on the backstretch. Things got spicy when racing returned to green as Nutter had to deal with the likes of Smith and Westergard. With neither party having a distinct advantage, Smith went to work the upper portion of the track and performed a brilliant double overtake to obtain second on lap six, with Westergard following him a short time later. Eventually, a [Read More]

ALGER, Wash. (Sept. 24, 2022) – After picking his way through lapped traffic, Jon DeBenedetti picked up a $10,000 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified paycheck. The Rogue River, Ore., driver made a rare visit to Skagit Speedway pay off big time on Saturday night, leading the last half of the Survive the 55 special at Alger.  “At this point in my career, to be at the top of my game pushing 25 years and win this race is really special,” said DeBenedetti, newly eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. “To come up here and be able to  go against the best of the Pacific Northwest means a lot.”  SDMF Chassis teammate Jesse Williamson was next to the checkers in the 55-lapper. Eston Whisler,  Bricen James and Ian Whisler rounded out the top five.  DeBenedetti was making just his second career start at Skagit after a runner-up finish in a weekly show there eight years ago and compared the Alger oval to Arkansas’ Batesville Motor Speedway. “It’s a very racy place,” he said. “I [Read More]